Winch interlocking apparatus



June 4, 1968 E. F. DAWSON 3,336,704

WINCH INTERLOCKING APPARATUS Filed May 1, 1967 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR E DWARD F. DAWSON wuwm u A TI'ORNEYS June 4, 1968 E. F. DAWSON 3,386,704

WINCH INTERLOCK ING APPARATUS Filed May 1, 1967 1 2 Sheets-Sheet mvzu'row- E DWARg F-T DAWSON fir TTOENEYQ United States Patent 3,386,704 WINCH INTERLOCKING APPARATUS Edward F. Dawson, 3085 Comox Ave., Comox, British Columbia, Canada Filed May 1, 1967, Ser. No. 635,240 17 Claims. (Cl. 254-185) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Winch interlocking apparatus in which an electric motor interconnected between two winch drums acts as a regenerative tensioner which opposes the rotation of one drum while a cable is beingunwound therefrom and assists the rotation of the other drum which is powerdriven to wind the cable thereon.

Background of the invention This invention relates to winch interlocking apparatus including two drums with a cable extending out from one drum and back to the other, one of these drums usually being reeled in while the other is unreeled, and vice versa.

Winches have been in use for many years including two drums with a cable extending out from one drum to the job to be done and back to the other drum. Power means is selectively connected to either drum to reel said drum in, at which time, the other drum is free to unreel. It is necessary to brake the !free drum in order to prevent the cable from unwinding therefrom too fast, and sometimes it is necessary to apply considerable tension to the unwinding cable as it is being wound on to the driven drum. In the past, a brake has been applied to the free drum in order to apply tension to the cable. This results in considerable power loss since the drum being wound in operates against the brake applied to the free drum. In addition, the brake bands wear out very fast, and require frequent replacement.

Some winches of the prior art have mechanical interlocks between the drums. These interlocks have friction clutches that have to be slipped as the cable is transferred :from one drum to the other, and this represents a waste of power and considerable wear on the clutch elements. In addition, with the 'friction clutches, it is not possible to reel in or unreel both drums at the same time to take up slacks in the cable at both ends thereof or to pay out said cable ends.

Summary of the invention Winch interlocking apparatus including first and second winch drums adapted to have cable wound thereon and extending out from the first drum and back to the second drum, said cable being unwound from the first drum as it is wound on to the second drum and vice versa. The apparatus includes a suitable source of power for selec tively reeling in each drum, at which time the other drum is disconnected from said source. An electric interlock motor unit has a field frame free to rotate and connected to rotate with one of the drums and an armature connected to rotate with the other of the drums. Means is provided for energizing the interlock motor unit to operate it in opposition to the rotation of the drum from which cable is being unwound. As the field frame is free to rotate, it tends to rotate in one direction while the armature rotates in the opposite direction when the motor unit is energized. If the cable ends are wound on their respective drums in opposite directions, it does not matter which of the two drums is being driven when the interlock motor is energized, since it always assists the rotation of one drum and opposes the rotation of the other. The

connections are such that the interlock motor opposes the rotation of the drum from which the cable is being un reeled, thereby maintaining the cable under tension without any friction losses. If the cable ends are wound on their respective drums in the same direction, then a reversible interlock motor unit is used. In this case, when required, the interlock motor is driven so as to oppose the rotation of the drum from which the cable is being unwound. If desired, means may be provided for controlling the voltage or power directed to the interlock motor unit in order to control the degree of opposition to the rotation of the free drum.

If said source of power is disconnected from both drums, the energizing of said interlock motor causes both drums to rotate. This makes it possible simultaneously to reel in both drums to take up slack at both ends of the cable, or to unreel both drums to pay out the cable.

Brief description of the drawings FIGURE 1 diagrammatically illustrates one use for winch interlocking apparatus according to the present invention,

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic view of one form of winch interlocking apparatus according to this invention,

FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic view of an alternative form of winch interlocking apparatus,

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of one type of interlock motor unit usable in this apparatus, and

FIGURES 5 to 8 are diagrams illustrating the operation of this apparatus.

Description of the preferred embodiments Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, 10 is winch interlocking apparatus according to the present invention used in connection with a log yarding system. Apparatus 10 includes a main drum 12 and a haulback drum 14. A main line or cable 16 is wound on drum 12, and extends away therefrom over a block 17 mounted on a spar 18 to a choker plate 19. A haulback line or cable 22 is wound on drum 14 oppositely to the winding of main line 16, and extends away from the haulback drum over a block 23 mounted on spar 18, through a tail block 24 anchored to a suitable support, such as a stump 25, and back to choker plate 19. A choker line 27 connected to plate 19 hangs downwardly therefrom and is adapted to be tied around a log 29 which is to be moved by the system. Although cables 16 and 22 are two individual cables wound on their respective drums and connected to plate 19, they are in eiiect a single cable extending from one drum out to tail block 24 and back to the other drum.

Apparatus 10 includes a suitable source of power, such as an engine or motor 32 which is selectively connected to either of the drums 12 or 14, at which time it is free of the other drum. When the motor is connected to drum 12 to reel in cable 16, drum 14 is free so that cable 22 unreels. Similarly, when motor 32 turns drum 14 to reel in cable 22, drum 12 is free so that cable 16 unreels. Thus, by the manipulation of drums 12 and 14, log 29 can be moved towards or away from spar 18.

When main line 16 is being reeled in to move log 29 towards spar 18, it is necessary to apply tension to haulback line 22 in order partially or completely to lift the log oif the ground, and yet line 22 unwinds from its drum at this time. The same thing applies if haulback line 22 is reeled in to move the log away from the spar, at which time tension must be applied to main line 16. It is one of the purposes of the present invention to apply the tension to the line being unreeled without undue waste of power and without wearing away parts of the apparatus, such as takes place if brakes or clutches are used for this purpose.

FIGURE 2 diagrammatically illustrates one form of apparatus 10, and the arrows on the gears indicate the direction of rotation thereof when main drum 12 is being reeled in, while haulback drum 14 is allowing haulback line 22 to unreel.

Motor 32 is selectively connected to drums 12 and 14 in any desired manner in accordance with normal practice with winches of this type. In this example, a chain drive 36 is selectively connected to main drum 12 through a clutch 37, and to haulback drum 14 through a clutch 38. As drum 14 has to turn oppositely to drum 12 when it is connected to the motor, a suitable reversing unit between clutch 38 and this drum is required, such as is diagrammatically illustrated at 39.

A suitable electric interlock motor unit 45 provides an interlocking connection between drums 12 and 14. This unit, which may be any suitable type of electric motor, includes a field frame or casing 47 which is free to rotate, and an armature 48 rotatably mounted within this frame or casing, an end of this armature being fixedly connected to a shaft 49 projecting outwardly from the motor.

In this example, field frame 47 is fixedly secured to a gear 52 so that the latter rotates with the frame. Gear 52 meshes with another gear 53 fixedly secured to main drum 14 to rotate therewith. Armature arm 49 extends freely through gear 52 and is fixedly connected to a gear 56 which meshes with another gear 57 fixedly connected to main drum 12 to rotate therewith. It is preferable that gears 52 and 56 are of the same diameter and have the same number of teeth, and that gears 53 and 57 are of the same diameter and have the same number of teeth.

Suitable means is provided for supplying electric current to interlock motor unit 45 to energize it in the usual manner. If apparatus is located where electrical power is available, the-motor unit can be electrically connected to an outside source of power. However, it is preferred to make apparatus a self-contained unit, in which case, it is provided with an electrical generator 60 which can be driven by a separate source of power, but is preferably driven by motor 32. In FIGURE 2, generator 60 is connected to motor 45 by leads 61 and 62.

Although it is not absolutely necessary to regulate the flow of current to motor 65, it is preferable to be able to do so, and any suitable, well-known means for controlling a generator output may be employed. FIGURE 2 diagrammatically illustrates a rheostat 64 for regulating the current in the field windings of the generator.

Any suitable type of electric motor can be used as interlock motor unit 45. However, it is preferable to use a DC. motor, such as a series motor, compound motor, permanent magnet field motor, or the like. However, an AC. motor can be used. Generator 65 may be any suitable generator capable of energizing motor unit 45. A DC generator is preferred, including a permanent magnet generator, but any alternator with suitable rectifiers can be used to energize the interlock motor. Any suitable means for controlling the output of a generator may be employed to regulate the current supplied to motor .5. This may be a rheostat in the field of the generator or alternator, as shown in FIGURE 2, or it may be a rheostat in one of the leads to the motor. In addition, any suitable known overload, over-temperature and/ or over-current means and suitable external cooling means, not shown, may be provided for the interlock motor. The term generator as used herein and in the claims is intended to include an alternator with a rectifier.

During operation of apparatus 10, assuming that motor 32 is turning drum 12 to reel in main line 16, haulback line 22 is being drawn off drum 14. As the lines are wound in opposite directions around these drums, the drums at this time are turning in the same direction, indicated by arrows 67 and 68 on gears 53 and 57. Gears 53 and 57, through gears 52 and 56, respectively, cause armature 48 and field frame 47 to rotate in the same direction. However, when current from generator 60 is supplied to the in terlock motor unit 45 to energize the latter, armature 48 tends to rotate in the opposite direction to the rotation of frame 47. This opposes the free rotation of drum 14, thereby applying tension to haulback line 22. The degree of tension applied to the haulback line can be adjusted by regulating the current supplied to motor unit 45. As'"armature 48 is connected to the power-driven drum 12, the reaction tends to rotate field frame 47 in the direction opposite to the rotation of the armature, and this opposes the free rotation of the haulback drum.

The situation is reversed if motor 32 rotates drum 14 to reel in haulback line 22, at which time drum 12 is free to rotate to allow main line 16 to unreel. The rotation of the gears between the drums and motor unit 45 at this time is opposite to that indicated by the arrows in FIGURE 2 so that the armature and field frame rotate in the same direction, but opposite to the direction described above. When motor 45 is energized, armature 48 tends to rotate in the opposite direction to frame 47. As this frame is connected to the positively driven drum 14, armature 49 tends to turn in the opposite direction to oppose the free rota tion of drum 12, thereby applying tension to main line 16.

FIGURE 3 illustrates an alternative form of which interlocking apparatus 10a. The only difference between this apparatus and apparatus 10 lies in the connection of the interlock motor unit to the main and haulback drums.

Apparatus 10a includes a main drum releasably connected to a gear 76 by a clutch 77, and a haulback drum 80 releasably connected to a gear 81 by a clutch 82. Main line 16 is wound on drum 75 in one direction, and haulback line 22 is wound on drum 80 in the opposite direction. A source of power, not shown, such as motor 32 described above, is operatively connected to a drive shaft 85, said shaft rotating drum 75 in one direction through gears 87 and 88, the last of which meshes with gear 76. Shaft also rotates drum 80 in the opposite direction through a gear 90 which meshes with gear 81.

An electric interlock motor unit 93 includes an armature 94 connected to drum 75 through a shaft 95 to rotate with this drum, and a field frame or casing 97 connected to drum 80 through a connection 98 to rotate with said drum. Leads 100 and 101 are connected to a generator, not shown, similar to generator 60, and a rheostat 104 is included in lead 101 for regulating the flow of current to motor unit 93. When apparatus 10a is in operation, as the main line or haulback line is being wound on to its drum, the other line is being unwound from its drum, at which time armature 94 and field frame 97 rotate in the same direction. When interlock motor 93 is energized, the rotation of the free-rotating drum is opposed to apply tension to the line being unreeled therefrom. Operation of rheostat 104 regulates the flow of current to the motor unit.

FIGURE 4 illustrates an electric interlock motor unit which may be used in this winch interlocking apparatus. Motor unit 107 includes a frame 109 which carries the field windings 110 of the unit. An armature 112 is rotatably mounted within the field windings as is usual with electric motors. Current is supplied to the motor through brushes 114 and 115.

Field frame 109 is fixedly secured at one end to a shaft 117, and another shaft 118 connected to armature 112 projects outwardly from the opposite end of the frame. A base bracket is provided, and shafts 117 and 118 are journalled in this bracket so that both frame 109 and armature 112 are free to rotate. Shafts 117 and 118 are connected to main and haulback drums in the manner described above in connection with apparatus 10 or 10a.

FIGURES 5 to 8 are diagrams illustrating the operation of this winch interlocking apparatus, apparatus 10a being used as the example.

In FIGURE 5, main drum 75 is being rotated to reel in cable 16, and haulback drum 80 is free to allow cable 22 to unreel. Drum 75 and armature 94 are being rotated in the direction of arrow 125, while drum 80 and field winding frame 97 are being rotated in the same direction as indicated by arrow 126. When interlock motor unit 93 is energized, armature 94 continues to rotate in the same direction as indicated by arrow 128, while frame 97 rotates in the opposite direction indicated by arrow 129, which is also opposed to the direction of rotation of drum 80, as shown by arrow 126. Thus the tendency of frame 97 to rotate at this time opposes the rotation of the haulback drum and thereby applies tension to haulback cable 22.

In FIGURE 6, haulback drum 80 is being powerdriven, While drum 75 is free to rotate. Drum 80 and field frame 97 rotate in the direction of arrow 132, while drum 75 and armature 94 rotate in the direction of arrow 133. When interlock motor 93 is energized, frame 97 continues to rotate in the same direction, indicated by arrow 135, while armature 94 tends to rotate in the opposite direction, indicated by arrow 136. This is in opposition to the rotation of drum 75 so that tension is applied to main cable 16.

FIGURES 7 and 8 have been included to show the operation of the interlocking apparatus when cables 16 and 22 are wound on their respective drums 75 and 80 in the same direction, in Which case interlock motor unit 93 must be a reversible motor. When drum 75 is powerdriven, it and armature 94 rotates in the direction of arrow 138, while drum 30 and field frame 97 rotate in the opposite direction, indicated by arrow 139. In this case, when interlock motor 93 is energized, armature 94 tends to rotate in the opposite direction to drum 75, as indicated by arrow 141, and frame 97 tends to rotate in the opposite direction to drum 80, indicated by arrow 142. As armature 94 rotates with driven drum 75, the tendency of frame 97 to rotate in the opposite direction opposes the rotation of drum 80 to apply tension to haulback line 22.

When power is applied to haulback drum 80, as illustrated in FIGURE 8, it and frame 97 rotate in the direction of arrow 144, and drum 75 and armature 94 rotate in the opposite direction, indicated by arrow 145. With the arrangement of FIGURE 8, the interlock motor unit is reversed relative to its action in FIGURE 7 so that when it is energized, frame 97 and armature 94 tend to rotate in directions opposite to drums 80 and 75, respectively, as indicated by arrows 147 and 148. As frame 97 is rotating with drum 80, the rotation of armature 94 opposes the rotation of drum 75 and applies tension to main cable 16.

An important advantage of the present interlocking apparatus results from the fact that when the power source, such as motor 32, is disconnected from both winch drums, the interlock motor can be energized to rotate said drums in opposite directions. Under these circumstances, when the interlock motor rotates in one direction, both of the drums are rotated to reel in the cable ends connected thereto, and when the interlock motor rotates in the opposite direction, both drums are rotated to pay out said cable ends.

As a result of this, during use of the apparatus in a logging operation, a log can be connected to the cable and, with the power source disconnected from the drums, the interlock motor can be energized simultaneously to reel in both drums to take up cable slack and partially or completely to raise the log to a desired level above the ground. In order to move the log towards or away from the winch apparatus, it is only necessary to connect the source of power to the main drum or haulback drum to reel in said drum while the interlock motor remains energized to oppose the unreeling of the drum to which said power source is not connected.

I claim:

1. Winch interlocking apparatus comprising first and second winch drums adapted to have cable wound thereon and extending out from the first drum and back to the second drum, said cable being unwound from the first drum as it is wound on the second drum and vice versa, an

interlock motor unit having a field frame free to rotate and connected to rotate with one of said drums and an armature connected to rotate with the other of said drums, and means for energizing said motor unit to operate the latter in opposition to the rotation of drum from which cable is being unwound.

2. Winch interlocking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the two drums rotate in the same direction as the cable is unwound from one and wound on to the other, the connections of the motor unit frame and armature to their respective drums is such that when the motor unit is unenergized said frame and armature rotate in the same direction as their respective drums, and when the motor unit is energized said frame and rotor tend to rotate in opposite directions.

3. Winch interlocking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said means for energizing the motor unit comprises a source of electrical power, and means for controlling the amount of said power directed to the motor unit.

4. Winch interlocking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including gearing rotatably interconnecting said one drum and the field frame, and gearing rotatably interconnecting said other drum and the armature.

5. Winch interlocking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said motor unit is a DC. motor.

6. Winch interlocking apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which said source of electrical power is a motor-driven generator.

7. Winch interlocking apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which said source of electrical power is an alternator and rectifier.

8. Winch interlocking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said motor unit is a reversible motor.

9. Winch interlocking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said motor unit is reversible, the two drums rotate in opposite directions as the cable is unwound from one and wound on to the other, the connections of the motor unit frame and armature to their respective drums is such that when the motor is unenergized said frame and armature rotate in the same direction as their respective drums, and when the motor unit is energized said frame and rotor tend to rotate in opposite directions.

10. Winch interlocking apparatus comprising first and second winch drums adapted to have cable wound thereon and extending out from the first drum and back to the second drum, said cable being unwound from the first drum as it is wound on the second drum and vice versa, a motor, means for selectively connecting said motor to said one drum to wind the cable thereon and freeing said other drum and vice versa, an electric interlock motor unit having a field frame free to rotate and connected to rotate with one of said drums and an armature connected to rotate with the other of said drums, and means for energizing said motor unit to operate the latter in opposi tion to the rotation of drum from which cable is being unwound.

11. Winch interlocking apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which said means for selectively connecting each drum to the motor includes a releasable clutch.

12. Winch interlocking apparatus as cla med in claim 10 in which said means for energizing the motor unit comprises a source of electrical power, and means for controlling the amount of said power directed to the motor unit.

13. Winch interlocking apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which said means for energizing the motor unit comprises an electrical generator driven by said motor and electrically connected to the interlock motor unit, and means for controlling the output of the generator directed to the motor unit.

14. Winch interlocking apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which said generator is a DC. generator, and said motor unit is a DC. motor.

15. Winch interlocking apparatus as claimed in claim 7 8 13 in which said generator is an alternator and rectifier, References Cited and said motor unit is a D.C. motor. UNITED STATES PATENTS 16. Winch interlocking apparatus as claimed in claim 7 a 10 including gearing rotatably interconnecting said one 11/1955 ShFPeYSOH 9187 drum and the field frame, and gearing rotatably inter 5 33467237 10/1967 Erlckson 254*185 connecting said other drum and the armature. I

17. Winch interlocking apparatus as claimed in claim EVON BLUNK Exammer' 1G in which said motor unit is a reversible motor. H. C. HORNSBY, AssistantExamin cr. 

